The Most Holy Rosary

The Most Holy Rosary | Paul Kokoski | Homiletic & Pastoral Review



Because the Immaculate Virgin was chosen to be the Mother of God, cooperating with him in the work of man’s salvation, she has a favor and power with her Son greater than any human or angelic creature … it is her greatest pleasure to grant help and comfort to those who seek her.

The month of October is traditionally dedicated to Our Blessed Mother under her glorious title, “Our Lady of the Rosary.”

The holy rosary, a devotional prayer of the Catholic Church, is both
mental and vocal, honoring the Blessed Virgin Mary. It consists of 15
decades of Aves (Hail Mary), each decade being preceded by a Pater  (Our Father), and followed by a Gloria
(Glory be), all recited while fingering the rosary beads. A different
mystery is contemplated during the recital of each decade. They are the
15 joyful, sorrowful, and glorious mysteries of the life of Christ and
His Blessed Mother. Recently, Pope John Paul II added five new
mysteries: the mysteries of light, or “luminous” mysteries. The rosary
begins with the recitation of the Apostles’ Creed (on the crucifix), one
Our Father, and three Hail Marys.

From the earliest days, the Church asked its faithful to recite the
150 Psalms of David. However, because it was difficult in the days prior
to the invention of the printing press to procure a book of Psalms, the
Psalms were often substituted using 150 Hail Marys.

Gradually, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and St. Dominic, The
rosary of the Virgin Mary, took its present classical form, and is now a
prayer beloved by countless saints. It is encouraged by the Magisterium. Pope John Paul II has called it his “favorite prayer.”

St. Dominic, who died in 1221, received from the Blessed Mother the
command to preach and to popularize this devotion in order to appease
the anger of God, while imploring the intercession of the Blessed Virgin
Mary for the good of souls, for conquest over evil, and for the
prosperity of Holy Mother Church. St. Dominic immediately used the
rosary as a warlike weapon to put the Albigensian heretics to flight,
confounding their audacity and mad impiety.

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